A LATE former councillor could be posthumously recognised with a local playpark being renamed in his honour.
Councillors are set to move a motion to rename Tarbert Playpark after John McAlpine, who had served two separate spells on Argyll and Bute Council before passing away in July 2022.
The playpark has recently had a £100,000 upgrade completed, with Mr McAlpine having been heavily involved in efforts to ensure renovation.
Councillor John Armour (SNP, South Kintyre) is now set to move a motion, seconded by Councillor Anne Horn (SNP, Mid Argyll) to rename the playpark at a meeting of local councillors.
The meeting of the council’s Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area committee will take place on Wednesday, June 4.
The motion, published in advance with the agenda, said: “Late 2024 saw the successful conclusion of a very positive partnership project involving Argyll and Bute Council and the community of Tarbert, when a £100,000 upgrade of the village’s playpark was completed.
“The council worked with local people and groups, who co-designed the playpark, to ensure that children and young people in Tarbert have a wonderful outdoor facility which contributes to mental and physical health and wellbeing – as well as being simply a great place to play outside.
“Many people have been involved in bringing this vision to life, but one of those who campaigned so passionately for a playpark in Tarbert is sadly no longer with us to see the enjoyment it brings to the community.
“The late Councillor John McAlpine played a key role in ensuring that this project was able to secure the funding it needed to make it a reality and was tireless in his determination to ensure that the village he loved so much could benefit from a new playpark.
“Sadly, John passed away in July 2022 and did not see the results of his hard work and dedication.
“Following discussions with his family and the local community, and given his service to the community over many years, a very fitting tribute to John would be for the new playpark to bear his name.”
The motion then asks that the committee recommends that the authority’s environment, development and infrastructure committee: “Acknowledge the efforts made by John McAlpine in ensuring that Tarbert’s playpark was upgraded and improved for the benefit of local young people, alongside the contributions made by the community as a whole to this much-appreciated local amenity.
“Agree that the Tarbert Playpark should be formally named ‘The John McAlpine Playpark’ [and] ask officers to make the necessary arrangements to formally record the playpark name as required and for the installation of appropriate signage.”
The environment, development and infrastructure committee is next due to meet on Thursday, June 19.
